Comments on: Rant For The Day http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/ "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." - James Dean Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:51:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Chiriquí Chatter » Blog Archive » This Is Very Interesting http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-23009 Chiriquí Chatter » Blog Archive » This Is Very Interesting Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:00:06 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-23009 [...] you remember my post on the 11th (Rant For The Day), I was complaining about my problems with Chase Rewards Visa. Well today, I received an email from [...] [...] you remember my post on the 11th (Rant For The Day), I was complaining about my problems with Chase Rewards Visa. Well today, I received an email from [...]

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22972 Don Ray Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:19:20 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22972 Hi Jim - My Chase Visa is on the way out as soon as I can make it happen. Hi Jim - My Chase Visa is on the way out as soon as I can make it happen.

]]> By: Jim http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22957 Jim Wed, 13 Jun 2007 03:08:30 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22957 Another to add to the list of reasons to choose another card: 3% fee for international use. They will tell you that VISA adds the fee. Not true from what I see on the web. When I return from my trip to the UK I will switch to the Capitol One card or the Wachovia VISA which charges 1%. Read your cardholder statement on the web BEFORE signing up!!!!! Another to add to the list of reasons to choose another card:

3% fee for international use.

They will tell you that VISA adds the fee. Not true from what I see on the web.

When I return from my trip to the UK I will switch to the Capitol One card or the Wachovia VISA which charges 1%.

Read your cardholder statement on the web BEFORE signing up!!!!!

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22928 Don Ray Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:49:45 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22928 You can change the activation online. I did in the past, but for some reason last week, it did not work. I keep mine paid off, but this new activation code thing is not working and I have one recurring charge on this card. This is the second time I have had to pay a penalty for a late payment and it is Chases fault not mine. I have made a note to myselg to have the charge moved to my MasterCard. When I get conformation that Visa is no longer being billed, I will be happy. You can change the activation online. I did in the past, but for some reason last week, it did not work. I keep mine paid off, but this new activation code thing is not working and I have one recurring charge on this card. This is the second time I have had to pay a penalty for a late payment and it is Chases fault not mine.

I have made a note to myselg to have the charge moved to my MasterCard. When I get conformation that Visa is no longer being billed, I will be happy.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22927 Kathy Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:30:16 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22927 I am having the same problem with Chase, except they tell me that I need a new activation code because I am using a different computer. I only have 1 computer and I haven't changed it in a year. Then they go through the whole process of mailing me a new code. What used to be easy is now really time consuming as I have 2 cards with Chase. And these are not active cards. I recieved a letter from Chase about 6 months ago that said I had 2 choices: cancel the cards and keep the "guaranteed" low interest rates on the balance transfer or use the cards and the low interest rate goes away. I'll be so glad when these cards are paid off!!!!! I am having the same problem with Chase, except they tell me that I need a new activation code because I am using a different computer. I only have 1 computer and I haven’t changed it in a year.
Then they go through the whole process of mailing me a new code. What used to be easy is now really time consuming as I have 2 cards with Chase. And these are not active cards. I recieved a letter from Chase about 6 months ago that said I had 2 choices: cancel the cards and keep the “guaranteed” low interest rates on the balance transfer or use the cards and the low interest rate goes away. I’ll be so glad when these cards are paid off!!!!!

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22925 Don Ray Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:25:06 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22925 Hi J&N - I need to put them on my "to do list". I must get my recurring bill off this card. It is costing me $$. Hi J&N - I need to put them on my “to do list”. I must get my recurring bill off this card. It is costing me $$.

]]> By: jimandnena http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22922 jimandnena Tue, 12 Jun 2007 10:31:21 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22922 Dear Don Ray, I too never have a balance on any credit cards so I'm listed as a "deadbeat" in their jargon. I love the convenience of not having to carry cash and mostly have avoided all their traps on fees so far but they are getting more creative. FRONTLINE ran an excellent piece a few months ago on just some of the creative tactics being used: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/credit/ I currently have a Chase Visa but I routinely close old accounts and open new ones just to keep them busy tracking me. The old logic of building a long term business loyalty is sadly no longer wise. jimandnena Dear Don Ray,
I too never have a balance on any credit cards so I’m listed as a “deadbeat” in their jargon. I love the convenience of not having to carry cash and mostly have avoided all their traps on fees so far but they are getting more creative. FRONTLINE ran an excellent piece a few months ago on just some of the creative tactics being used:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/credit/
I currently have a Chase Visa but I routinely close old accounts and open new ones just to keep them busy tracking me. The old logic of building a long term business loyalty is sadly no longer wise.
jimandnena

]]> By: Rob Alan http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22898 Rob Alan Mon, 11 Jun 2007 21:39:43 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22898 By regulation US WEST had to use call centers based in its telephone region and could not outsource (Public Utilities Commission requirements). The issue was not economic - it was the government regulations, union rules, work rules, etc. that makes it such a nose bleed. All of these programs are expensive, not including the normal wages, overhead and G&A. The technology improved significantly during her tenure and the best result from that was that she was able to shrink the workforce. Regardless, I don't think one can hire enough qualified people in the US to staff call centers with the current economy. You can't go into a retail store, bank or restaurant without seeing a employee wanted sign. In some cases outsourcing is the best economic choice by far. By regulation US WEST had to use call centers based in its telephone region and could not outsource (Public Utilities Commission requirements). The issue was not economic - it was the government regulations, union rules, work rules, etc. that makes it such a nose bleed. All of these programs are expensive, not including the normal wages, overhead and G&A. The technology improved significantly during her tenure and the best result from that was that she was able to shrink the workforce.
Regardless, I don’t think one can hire enough qualified people in the US to staff call centers with the current economy. You can’t go into a retail store, bank or restaurant without seeing a employee wanted sign. In some cases outsourcing is the best economic choice by far.

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22896 Don Ray Mon, 11 Jun 2007 20:19:30 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22896 I have had a call center operations group in an account I was responsible for in a past life. Call center operations are not for the faint hearted, still the technology for call centers has improved enormously and I think any US company that can break even owes it to its citizens of the US to provide the work opportunity rather than outsourcing. Unfortunately all companies are too bottom line conscious and could care less about their employees anymore. I think the US govertment should provide incentives to use US citizens. I have had a call center operations group in an account I was responsible for in a past life. Call center operations are not for the faint hearted, still the technology for call centers has improved enormously and I think any US company that can break even owes it to its citizens of the US to provide the work opportunity rather than outsourcing.

Unfortunately all companies are too bottom line conscious and could care less about their employees anymore. I think the US govertment should provide incentives to use US citizens.

]]> By: Rob Alan http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22894 Rob Alan Mon, 11 Jun 2007 20:09:48 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/11/rant-for-the-day/#comment-22894 Don Ray, I know this is slightly off topic, but my ex used to manage a large call center for US WEST - she had about 1,200 employees. Given the union demands, work rules, OSHA rules, state regulations, federal regulations, etc. It's not that you can't find Americans to do the work, it is more the work environment that you are forced to operate in. I don't blame any company that outsources its call centers. I work with Oracle all of the time so have gotten used to the Indian accent. Some US companies use Panama, Costa Rico and a couple of other South / Central American countries for Spanish speaking help centers. I wonder how they are working out... Don Ray,
I know this is slightly off topic, but my ex used to manage a large call center for US WEST - she had about 1,200 employees. Given the union demands, work rules, OSHA rules, state regulations, federal regulations, etc. It’s not that you can’t find Americans to do the work, it is more the work environment that you are forced to operate in. I don’t blame any company that outsources its call centers.
I work with Oracle all of the time so have gotten used to the Indian accent. Some US companies use Panama, Costa Rico and a couple of other South / Central American countries for Spanish speaking help centers. I wonder how they are working out…

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